Clementine tree named &#39;Clemenpons&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Citrus reticulata  tree with large, early ripening fruit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 10/047,911 filed Jan. 15, 2002, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Citrus reticulata

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Clemenpons’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofclementine tree botanically known as Citrus reticulata, and hereinreferred to by its cultivar name ‘Clemenpons’.

The new cultivar was discovered in 1964 as a seedling in Pego, Aligante,Spain as a spontaneous mutation of ‘de Nules’ clementine (unpatented).‘Clemenpons’ differs from ‘de Nules’ in that it has an earlier fruitmaturity and characteristic burr knots and galls on its trunk.

The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced in 1985 in Pego(Valencia), Spain by grafting budwood onto citrange rootstock(unpatented). Subsequent grafting of budwood onto citrange rootsock inMoncado (Valencia), Spain has shown the features of the new cultivar tobe stable and reproduce true to type in successive propagations.

The following traits are determined to be basic characteristics of thenew cultivar which in combination distinguish this clementine tree asnew and distinct.

1. Earlier fruit maturity then ‘Clemenules’ (unpatented).

2. Fruit characteristics similar to ‘Clemenules’; superior fruit qualityto ‘Arrufatina’ Clementine (unpatented).

3. Tree characteristics similar to ‘Clemenules’; less vigorous growththan ‘Fina’ (Commune) Clementine (unpatented).

4. Fruit internal maturity and rind colors up to 3 weeks earlier than‘Clemenules’.

5. Larger fruit than ‘Fina’ (Commune) Clementine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new cultivar withthe color being as true as possible with color illustrations of thistype. The photographs were taken under natural light conditions.

FIG. 1 shows fruit of the new variety;

FIG. 2 shows the flesh of the new variety;

FIG. 3 shows color indices during ripening of the fruit, “1000 a/L.b(Parametros de Hunter)” is an index of color;

FIG. 4 shows the tree; and

FIG. 5 shows the blossoms of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following description sets forth the characteristics of the newcultivar. The data which defines these characteristics were collectedfrom asexual reproductions by grafting of budwood onto Troyer citrangerootstock. The plant history was taken on a 5 year old tree outside inMoncada (Valencia), Spain. In the following description, colorreferences are made to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Citrus reticulate.        -   Commercial.—Clementine tree.-   Tree:    -   -   Growth rate.—Medium vigor; similar to Clemenules.        -   Average amount of time to produce a fruit bearing tree.—From            nursery to planting: 2 years. From planting to cropping: 3-4            years.        -   Average amount of growth per season.—2 to 4 cycles of 6-12            inches.        -   Overall shape.—Spreading.        -   Height.—Up to 12 feet, if allowed.        -   Spread.—Depending on spacing, up to 12 feet.        -   Preferred soil type.—Varies with rootstock type; loamy.        -   Bark color.—Young: Yellow-Green Group 146A. Old: Grey-Brown            Group 199C.-   Foliage:    -   -   Shape.—Overall: Lanceolate. Base: Obtuse. Tip: Acute.        -   Size.—Length: 61 mm. Width: 20 mm.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Green Group 132A. Lower surface: Green            Group 132B. Venation: Yellow-Green Group 144B.        -   Marginal form.—Entire.        -   Petiole.—Diameter: 1.2 mm. Length: 6 mm. Color: Yellow-Green            Group 146A/B.        -   Scent.—Pleasant.        -   Surface texture.—Medium roughness.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—April in Moncada (Valencia), Spain.        -   Sepals.—Shape: Pyramidal. Number: 5. Length: 4.0 mm. Width:            2.5 mm. Apex: 0.5 mm. Margin: Smooth. Base width: 2.0 mm.            Sepal color: Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 146B. Lower            surface: Yellow-Green Group 146B.        -   Petal.—Shape: Elongated; tapered. Number: 5. Length: 12 mm.            Width: 6 mm. Apex: Pointed. Margin: Smooth. Base Width:            5 mm. Petal color: Upper Surface: White Group 155A. Lower            surface: White Group 155A.        -   Pedicel length.—4 mm.        -   Pedicel color.—Yellow-Green Group 146A/B.        -   Overall size.—Bud: Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About            2.5 mm. Opened flower: Length: About 5 mm. Diameter: About            2.5 mm.        -   Bud color.—Yellow-Green Group 146A/B.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity date.—Mid-October in Moncada (Valencia), Spain.        -   Weight.—70 to 120 g.        -   Shape.—Overall: In dry climates, spherical; In coastal            climates, oblate. Base: Slightly indented. Apex: Neck/nipple            develops only in cold inland areas. Diameter: 55-65 mm.            Height: 40-50 mm. Furrows: None.-   Rind:    -   -   Surface texture.—Smooth; slightly pebbly.        -   Color.—Between Red-Orange Groups 28A and 28B.        -   Thickness.—2 mm.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Adheres tightly until mature.        -   Ease of peeling.—Very easy when mature.        -   Oil glands.—Even; not protruding.        -   Scent.—Mandarin-like.-   Flesh:    -   -   Axis.—Straight.        -   Puffing.—Occurs when overly mature; “puffing” is a term of            art that refers to a condition where fruit segments become            loosened from the interior skin surface and the fruit in its            entirety becomes soft in feel and appearance.        -   Number of segments.—9-10.        -   Separability of segments.—Easily.        -   Pulp.—Color: Orange Group 28C. Texture: Tender.        -   Vesicles.—Shape: Tapered. Size: 2-4 mm in length.-   Juice:    -   -   Relative amount in fruit.—46-50%.        -   Color.—Orange Group 28C.        -   Aroma.—Tangerine.        -   Flavor.—Tangerine-like.        -   Total soluble solids.—10-13° Brix.        -   Acid.—0.8-1.1%.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Color:    -   -   Filament.—Greyed-Orange Group 168D.        -   Pollen.—Greyed-Orange Group 167A.        -   Style.—Greyed-Orange Group 168D.        -   Ovaries.—Greyed-Yellow Group 161B.-   Seeds: Seedless under non-pollinating conditions. When present,    there is an average number of 0-3 seeds per fruit colored    Yellow-Green Group 145D.

FRUIT

-   Persistence of fruit on tree: Hangs well.-   Color:    -   -   Aleido.—Greyed-Orange Group 170A.        -   Flesh.—Greyed-Orange Group 170C.-   Use: Fresh eating.-   Keeping quality: 40-60 days after picking at 1-8° C.-   Shipping quality: Good, if adhere to protocols.-   Average amount of fruit produced per season per tree: 35 to 50 t/ha    (crop yield) for a 60-90 Kg tree.-   Persistence to diseases/pests: No unusual susceptibility to diseases    or pests has been noted to date.

1. A new and distinct variety of Citrus reticulata plant substantiallyas shown and described.